Embassy of Sri Lanka, Washington DC

July 2015

NEWS SRI LANKA Embassy of Sri Lanka, Washington DC

SRI LANKA CONGRATULATES THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON THE OCCASION OF THE 239TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE MESSAGE OF THE MINISTER OF MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF SRI LANKA TO SRI LANKA TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA The Honourable John Kerry His Excellency Barack Obama Secretary of State of the United States of America President of the United States of America Your Excellency, Your Excellency, It gives me immense pleasure to convey to you my warm congratulations and best wishes on this joyous occasion of the 239th an- On this day that the United States of America celebrates 239 niversary of the Declaration of Independence of the United States years of independence, the Government and the people of Sri of America. Lanka, join me in extending heartfelt congratulations to you and to the Government and people of the United States of America. The longstanding relations between the people of Sri Lanka and the United States have expanded over the years into multi-faceted Relations between the United States and Sri Lanka date back to spheres of cooperation. This valued and time-tested partnership the early years of the American Republic. People-to-people con- provides a firm foundation upon which the peoples of our two tacts between our two countries that began over two hundred countries can forge increasingly closer links for mutually beneficial years ago have continuously broadened and stood the test of social and economic advancement. time. Since Sri Lanka’s independence in 1948, relations between the two countries have gained greater momentum and strength The January 8th Presidential election, a defining moment for Sri on shared people-centric policies and values. Lanka, has opened the door to review, revive and reinvigorate the relationship between our two countries, providing an opportunity This year, the Sri Lanka-U.S. relationship heralded a new chap- to move forward towards irreversible excellence in friendship and ter. I am indeed gratified by the path-breaking visit to Sri Lanka cooperation. by Honourable John Kerry, Secretary of State, in May 2015, reaf- Your visit to Sri Lanka in May was indeed symbolic of the tradi- firming and laying the foundation for a closer friendship and a tional goodwill between our two countries and a fitting tribute stronger partnership. to the people of Sri Lanka who reaffirmed their commitment to democracy at the Presidential election on January 8th. It also pro- I am encouraged by the laudatory words of support I have re- vided encouragement to the government’s reform agenda and suc- ceived from all levels of the United States Government, the cess in good governance achieved in a little over one hundred days Congress and the people since my election to office in January in office. this year. I am confident that the relationship between our Gov- ernments and our people will continue to grow, expanding into I look forward to working with you closely to achieve more effi- new spheres of cooperation, nourished by democratic values cient and effective cooperation between our Governments for the and common interests, as well as the resolve to work together in progress in our relations in both bilateral and multilateral fields, the years to come. building upon the expressed vision and excellent foundation laid by you during your landmark visit to Sri Lanka. Please accept, Excellency, my best wishes for your personal hap- piness and well-being and the continued progress and prosper- Please accept, Excellency, my warm wishes for your health, happi- ity of the United States of America and her people. ness and well-being. Maithripala Sirisena Mangala Samaraweera M.P. President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka WASHINGTON EMBASSY CELEBRATES IFTAR

Sri Lanka’s Embassy in Washington DC celebrated the highlights Sri Lanka’s multiethnic and multicultural na- traditional Iftar on Friday, July 10th. The event was at- ture. The Embassy Iftar celebration provides an oppor- tended by a large gathering of guests from the Sri Lan- tunity for Sri Lankan-Americans to commit to support kan-American Muslim community, representatives from their brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka in their efforts to the State Department and other Sri Lankan community achieve unity and reconciliation among communities. Sri leaders. Lankans must achieve sustainable peace and harmony in order to ensure that mistakes of the past that led to com- In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Prasad Kariya- munal discord are never repeated. wasam said, “The idea of Iftar is sharing and to let those fasting know that we have a physical space where we get Dr. Abdullah Khouj, Director of the Washington Islamic together, greet each other, share food, build relationships Center led the Iftar prayers and blessed the country, the and strengthen already existing bonds. It also provides President and the people of Sri Lanka. He recalled the the all important spiritual space, which helps reflect on significance of Ramadan and how it contributes to self- who we are, why we are here and what we should do to development and global peace. Referring to recent devel- advance humanity.” Observing the role that the Muslim opments in Sri Lanka, he said that the country is a model community has played in the modern history of Sri Lan- for other countries. ka, to safeguard the unity, sovereignty and the integrity The breaking of the fast and prayers were followed by a of the country, Ambassador Kariyawasam said the event Reception.

DEVELOPING COUNTRIES INCLUDING SRI LANKA BENEFIT FROM THE REAUTHORIZED U.S. GENERALIZED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES (GSP)

The U.S. President signed into law HR without payment of U.S. import duty. gramme includes pneumatic rubber 1295 on June 29, 2015 re-authorizing The GSP reauthorization will also al- tires, plastic based packing materials, the US GSP programme until 31 De- low U.S. importers to claim the im- rubber gloves, activated carbon, coir cember 2017 thereby providing pref- port duty, which was paid for eligible products, porcelain/china ware, jew- erential duty free entry into the U.S. products in the absence of the GSP ellery, brooms and brushes, rubber market for nearly 5000 products from programme since July 31, 2013. floor coverings etc. 122 designated beneficiary develop- The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Wash- Sri Lankan exporters may contact the ing countries and territories, includ- Department of Commerce (www.doc. ing Sri Lanka. ington DC was an active member of the Alliance of GSP countries which gov.lk) or the Embassy of Sri Lanka in The GSP programme which is de- joined other US stakeholders in ad- Washington DC (commercial@slem- signed to promote economic growth vocating early renewal of the US GSP bassyusa.org) for more details on the in the developing world by was insti- Programme. eligible products under the US GSP tuted on January 1, 1976 by the Trade programme. Most apparel products, Act of 1974. In 2014, the U.S. has imported US footwear and travel goods are not cov- $ 178 million worth of goods under ered under the US GSP programme. Authorization of duty-free treatment the GSP programme from Sri Lanka To check the eligibility of a product, under the GSP lapsed on July 31, demonstrating a 12.5 percent increase visit http://dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/ 2013. The reauthorization which will compared to 2013. tariff_current.asp. GSP eligible prod- be effective from July 29, 2015 will al- ucts are indicated with an “A” in the low US importers to clear the eligible The principal export items of Sri subcolumn (special rates) of the tariff products under the GSP programme Lanka to the U.S. under the GSP pro- schedule. More information can also be obtained from the GSP Guidebook on the USTR’s GSP page at: http://www.ustr.gov/

02 NEWS - SRI LANKA: The Embassy of Sri Lanka AVIATION UNIT TO SOUTH SUDAN Aviation Unit in South Sudan under the United Nations Mission in the Re- PARLIAMENTARY public of South Sudan (UNMISS). ELECTION ON TH The first element comprising 2 Offic- AUGUST 17 ers, 10 Airmen and three MI 17 aircraft departed the country on June 6th. Five cargo flights carrying cargo for the deployment left later that President Maithripala Sirisena The last element of 81 Sri Lanka Air month. dissolved Parliament on Friday, Force (SLAF) supporting crewmem- This helicopter deployment will be June 26th. bers of the SLAF’s second aircraft tasked to carry out VIP transpor- The parliamentary election will deployment overseas left the country tation, transportation of food and be held on August 17th. The new recently on June 21st. equipment, domestic flying, para Parliament will be convened With this, the SLAF has completed the dropping and medical evacuation in early September. dispatch of personnel and cargo for its South Sudan, in support of the over- all UN mandate for that nation.

SRI LANKA BECOMES FIRST NATION TO PLACE ALL MANGROVES UNDER PROTECTION

cent has already been destroyed (ClimateWire, Oct. 1, 2014). This is due to multiple factors, including development of fish or shrimp farms, pollution, harvesting for timber, and climate change-relat- ed stressors like sea-level rise and more frequent tropical storms. According to Duane Silverstein, Seacology’s executive director, mangrove losses in Sri Lanka are primarily driven by aquaculture development and harvesting for charcoal. Microloans aimed at gaining local ‘eyes and ears’ on the forest Silverstein said that preserving Sri Lanka’s mangroves is important because they are home to a great diversity of species. “One of the many reasons we chose Sri Lanka is it has 21 different species of mangrove,” Silverstein said. Elizabeth Harball, E&E reporter The total cost to protect all of Sri Lanka’s mangroves is estimated In a deal with two nongovernmental organizations, the island na- at $3.4 million. Seacology has already raised approximately half tion Sri Lanka has announced it will place all of its carbon-rich this amount, according to Silverstein, largely from the organiza- mangrove forests under protection. It will be the first nation to tion’s board members. Much of the funding will go toward pro- do so, according to the United States-based environmental group viding microloans and job training to 15,000 women in approxi- Seacology, which spent over two years brokering the deal along mately 1,500 communities near the mangrove forests. This will be with the Sri Lanka-based nonprofit Sudeesa. Over the course of “in exchange for them not only cutting down mangroves, but also five years, all 21,782 acres of Sri Lanka’s mangrove forests will be protecting mangroves -- becoming the eyes and ears of mangrove mapped and protected. Additionally, about 9,600 acres of forest protection,” Silverstein said. Each community will be placed in that had previously been cut down will be replanted. charge of an average of 21 acres. The government of Sri Lanka will not receive funding as part of the agreement, but it will play a Mangroves are forest ecosystems that grow along tropical coast- role by establishing official boundaries for mangrove forests and lines, known for their extensive underwater root systems that providing rangers to monitor those boundaries. provide havens for a number of animal species. They also serve to protect nearby communities from tropical storm surges, and, The effort was announced by Sri Lankan President Maithripala according to a 2010 study in the journal Nature, they are among Sirisena at a May 12 press conference held in Colombo. “It is the the most powerful carbon-sequestering forest ecosystems in the responsibility and the necessity of all government institutions, tropics. private institutions, non government organizations, researchers, intelligentsia, and civil community to be united to protect the But a recent report by the U.N. Environment Programme found mangrove ecosystem,” Sirisena said in a statement. that the world’s mangroves are disappearing three to five times faster than the average rate of forest loss globally, and over 25 per- READ MORE AT: http://www.seacology.org/ 03 NEWS - SRI LANKA: The Embassy of Sri Lanka

ON STATEN ISLAND, SAVORING FLAVORS OF SRI LANKA By RACHEL KHONA Tony Cenicola/The New York Times Staten Island has historically been known vegetables, eggs and sometimes meat). phatie; her brother Subhaschandraboase for its Italian and Irish heritage, and more “When I first came to this country, people Ranakisana; and her brother’s wife, Udaya- recently Russians and Liberians. However, were scared of Sri Lankan food,” said Sanjay kumari Subhaschandraboase. Viji has no in the last decade, the Sri Lankan popula- Handapangoda, the chef at San Rasa, a professional culinary training, yet skillfully tion growth in the borough has created a casual restaurant he opened in 2007 on Cor- serves up curried jackfruit (a starchy fruit “Little Sri Lanka” in the Tompkinsville and son Street in Tompkinsville. The restaurant, tasting like a cross between a banana and St. George neighborhoods. in shades of red and dark wood, is deco- pineapple), malu paan (a fish and potato rated with trinkets from Sri Lanka. “When I bun eaten for breakfast or as a snack) and Staten Island is home to the city’s largest Sri started the restaurant I didn’t even have five Asha’s chicken (a spicy fried chicken house Lankan population. Though a decades-long or six people for the Sunday buffet,” he said. specialty) to Sri Lankan expats yearning for civil war in Sri Lanka escalated tensions “Now I have 80.” a taste of home and to patrons eager to try between Sinhalese and Tamil ethnic groups, something new. here the two groups live peaceably in clap- Customers, a mix of Sri Lankans and board houses and brick town houses with non-Sri Lankans, pack the restaurant in One of the most authentic Sri Lankan modest, fenced-in front lawns. the evenings as well. He prides himself on dining experiences in Staten Island can be bringing what he calls a more refined, nu- found a 10-minute bus ride away on Bay Little Sri Lanka, where everything from Sri anced approach to Sri Lankan cuisine. A Street in Stapleton at Lakruwana. Diners Lankan beer to homemade curry powder signature dish is his version of lamprie (also sit on elongated triangular-shaped metal can be found, is not quite as bustling as known as lamprais or lamprey). This relic of chairs, studying menus of hearty, home- Little India in Jackson Heights, Queens, Dutch colonialism arrives in a banana leaf, cooked meals. Jayantha Wijesinghe grew lacking the many grocers, jewelry shops, and is unfolded to reveal rice, meat, curried up cooking with her mother in Sri Lanka, restaurants and beauty salons with Bolly- vegetables, and even cashews. and opened Lakruwana with her husband, wood music blaring from storefronts. Lakruwana Wijesinghe. Sunday brunch in- Meals are a little simpler at New Asha, a cludes more than 20 dishes, such as pineap- But Little Sri Lanka’s restaurants are the 10-minute walk down Victory Boulevard, ple curry, kale and coconut, and green egg emotional heart of this growing community. also in Tompkinsville. The 15-year-old res- curry. Some of the best spots to sample Sri Lankan taurant is unassuming, offering a fast-food cuisine in New York lie along Victory counter, cafeteria-like tables and cricket Suresh Seneviratne, a marketing director in Boulevard in Tompkinsville and farther matches streaming on the TV. But what Manhattan who moved from Sri Lanka to afield on Bay Street in the nearby Stapleton the place lacks in style, it makes up for in the United States as a child, visits Little Sri neighborhood. substance. Lanka often and said he wishes the com- Delicacies include hoppers (fermented rice The genial face of New Asha, Vijayakumari munity were larger. “I can only hope that it flour bowls served with a fried egg) and Devdas (known as Viji), runs the establish- will turn into a Little India — how fun that kotthu (roti chopped and stir-fried with ment with her husband, Devdas Ceru- would be!” THE FULL STORY CAN BE READ AT : http://www.nytimes.com